Carbon monoxide is the odorless and colorless gas that formed from incomplete burning of the organic compounds. Most of the deaths that caused by carbon monoxide are commonly the result from building fires. However, the significant portions are caused by the malfunctioning or the blocked exhaust systems. Moreover, this gas can be highly toxic since it is effective in blocking the delivery of the oxygen and most severely effects organs like the brain and heart. At this time, this article is going to give you several tips that will help you to spot carbon monoxide poisoning.
Firstly, carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to diagnose since there are broad range and vagueness of the common symptoms. The acute poisoning is often associated with physical symptoms of chest pain, breathing difficulty, fatigues, drowsiness, nausea, headaches, and also vomiting.
Secondly, you should be alert for the changes in the mental state. This type of gas can also cause the dramatic changes in the behavior because of its effect on brain. The effects include confusion, agitation, hallucination, depression, memory difficulties, and impulsiveness.
Thirdly, you need to inquire about the exposure when you are considering this diagnosis. This kind of poisoning must be suspected when the above symptoms are occurred during the winter, especially when the multiple patients form same household present similar complaints.
Fourthly, you need to search for the additional signs of the chronic poisoning. These can include the recent loss of cognitive ability, the loss of dentation, and also neurologic symptoms with the gradual onset.
Lastly, you have to make measurements of the carbon monoxide level in the blood by using spectrophotometric analyzer. This is actually not conclusive, however, as the chronic smokers can have CO level as high as 10 percent. The patient who has had the significant exposure to this type of gas may have low CO level if they have already been treated with the pure oxygen.
